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The adventure of a lifetime: Why a Polar heli trip is the stuff of dreams

We don’t think we’ve ever introduced a more James Bond-esque travel expedition. Tell us that hopping on a high-tech chopper directly from your polar expedition ship isn’t something that you’d expect to see on any Bond movie. Right? You can’t! It’s almost too cool for the everyday traveller’s mind, and yet it's something you can do, thanks to Quark Expeditions.

We don’t think we’ve ever introduced a more James Bond-esque travel expedition. Tell us that hopping on a high-tech chopper directly from your polar expedition ship isn’t something that you’d expect to see on any Bond movie. Right? You can’t! It’s almost too cool for the everyday traveller’s mind, and yet it’s something you can do, thanks to Quark Expeditions.

While Quark Expeditions has long been recognised as the global leader in polar adventures, the 30-year-old operator has ramped up their polar game with their new heli-adventure offerings.

The polar specialists now offer thrill-seeking guests an immersive helicopter flight aboard one of two Airbus choppers stationed on the new Ultramarine polar ship. These take your polar explorations to new heights – literally!

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“I must be dreaming.”

Remember we raved about the Ultramarine launch back in April?

This game-changing vessel already upped the ‘let’s go’ factor of a Quark Expedition. This is thanks to its stylish good looks (also rather Bond-like, no?), next-level guest comforts, and high eco-standards.

The custom-designed 199-passenger ship offers spacious suites, two restaurants, lecture theatre, panorama lounge, polar boutique, sauna, spa, and fitness centre. Whoa.

While you wouldn’t think anything was missing from your Ultramarine polar expedition, the arrival of these two new helicopters is like the spyware cufflinks addition to a Bond outfit. It just makes sense.

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“The world is not enough.”

Quark Expeditions’ exhilarating new heli ride goes above and beyond the normal limits of a polar expedition. Speaking about the trip, Quark Expeditions’ President, Andrew White, says:

“We will offer guests the most robust portfolio of adventure options in the industry, including heli-hiking, alpine kayaking and ice-sheet heli-landings—in addition, of course, to flightseeing.

“For 30 years, we’ve been passionate about our mandate to bring people to the Arctic and Antarctic. Now, with our helicopters, we can move people to explore further once they arrive in the Polar Regions, to set foot where few humans have ever walked.”

“You only live twice, Mr Bond.”

So, what happens aboard a polar heli-expedition? Well, first up, you’ll be piloted by highly experienced chopper pilots. They have not only countless hours of flying experience but also Quark Expeditions’ unique expedition training to boot. Safety is top-notch (obvs), with advanced tech and next-level safety on the twin-engine Airbus H145s.

It’s also the fastest helicopter in its category, meaning you can go further across the polar landscape than ever before.

Oh, and the new Quark Expeditions ride is fuel-efficient, has a small external footprint, and reduced noise pollution. These are the kinds of sustainability considerations that make the KarryOn team cheer.

If you decide to book a spot on this exhilarating new ride, you’ll be accompanied by Quark Expedition team members who know the landscape so well they practically have ice in their veins.

Also, seven out of eight passengers get a window seat on this sleek ride (who wants to tell Uncle Bob he’s in the eighth seat?).

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The scratch-proof windows mean your polar snaps are not just humble-brag worthy, but also pictures potentially worthy of winning a Nat Geo competition.

Sure, you may end up with 2,000 pictures (and then some), but that’s the risk you take on a Quark Expeditions excursion where everything is picture perfect. If you thought the polar landscape was stunning from the ground, wait until you see it from the air!

Quark Expeditions heli-adventure options include landing on an Antarctic ice sheet that can no human has ever trodden. Up the ante with an alpine heli-trekking where you’ll walk or hike across the virgin landscape. Alternatively, choose to soar over icebergs and an epic flightseeing excursion

“Don’t think. Just let it happen.”

Is this ‘adventure with luxury’ polar adventure what you’ve been looking for? Great!

You can find out more about Ultramarine and its helicopter programme here.

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